The first intifada, I was then commander of Central Command, commanding the West Bank, basically. And I know to what extent the first intifada was a popular uprising. – Ehud Barak
If you establish a right unity government, you create an effective platform to make… decisions because you have wider support of your own party. – Ehud Barak
An independent, strong, thriving and peaceful State of Israel is the vengeance of the dead. – Ehud Barak
With the globalization, it’s difficult for governments to impose decisions on private companies. – Ehud Barak
I delivered lectures, and I was also a consultant for international companies in finance, both private equity and big venture capital funds. – Ehud Barak
To think that you can – as a Zionist, Jewish independent state at the end of the 20th century – rule over another people for generations without having any consequences – it’s ridiculous. – Ehud Barak
Toward the Palestinians, Israel can only give. But when dealing with the entire Arab world, Israel can get a lot. – Ehud Barak
Try to think for your own why the Russians and the Chinese do not like the idea that whoever takes aggressive steps to keep order within his sovereign borders should not accept others to intervene physically. – Ehud Barak
Leadership can change its mind; leadership can open its eye. Leadership can even be replaced. – Ehud Barak
War is no picnic. Wars should be prevented, and if you can’t prevent them, you have to put them off. – Ehud Barak
Since the Six-Day War, the whole world, which is the real arena of battle between us and the Palestinians, believes that Israel is right in regard to procedure, namely problems and disputes should be solved around the negotiating table. – Ehud Barak
The red line must be drawn on Iran’s nuclear enrichment program because these enrichment facilities are the only nuclear installations that we can definitely see and credibly target. – Ehud Barak
I think that Jordan is strong. I think that they will hold on. I believe that they’ve already opened their parliament and their system, the press and others, to many voices… And I hope and wish that they will remain stable for a long time. – Ehud Barak
I’m no wealthier than Bibi Netanyahu or Arik Sharon. I don’t feel that I’m more hedonistic than Ehud Olmert, or Yitzhak Rabin or Shimon Peres. – Ehud Barak
I became a prime minister within four-and-a-half years, the shortest kind of career ever in Israeli political history. – Ehud Barak
Who can guarantee that if we allow the Palestinians to establish a state, we won’t find rockets there as well, half a mile from the airport or 10 miles from Tel Aviv? – Ehud Barak
Ladies and gentlemen, the relevant question is not when Iran will get the bomb. The relevant question is at what stage can we no longer stop Iran from getting the bomb. – Ehud Barak
Israel fits into the zeitgeist of our era. It is true that there are demographic threats to its existence. That is why a separation from the Palestinians is a compelling imperative. – Ehud Barak